Workshops, Panels, and Roundtables (via Zoom)
We want these live sessions (via Zoom) to be interactive experiences in which participants have opportunities to connect meaningfully with the content you are sharing, with the presenters, and with each other, feeling comfortable to share their teaching-related experiences or try out new ideas or tools.
Preparing for Your Session:
- We will be offering presenter preparation sessions in July, August, and September. Past presenters who prefer an asynchronous refresher of the most important details for the conference will have the option of watching a video instead. Please check your email for details.
- Please connect with your assigned session host/tech host at least once prior to the conference–share with them your session plan, how you would like to be introduced, and what kind of help you want with Zoom tools. You may wish to schedule a time with them prior to the event to practice or provide them with additional introduction material or session support instructions. We will send you the name of your assigned session/tech host(s) via email in August/September.
- If you wish to publish any supplementary materials (links, handouts, videos, etc.) to be available pre- and/or post-conference via the ITL Conference Proceedings site, please follow the instructions under “Submitting Conference Materials” on the For Presenters page. All submissions are due by August 30, 2021.
- You may also find the following resources helpful:
- Live Presenter Preparation PowerPoint
- ITL Zoom Synchronous Sessions Strategies
- ITL Live Session Planning Guide
Day of Session:
Please plan to log in your session 20-30 minutes before the start of your session time (no later than 15 minutes before the session start time) to ensure your connection is working, to touch base with the session host introducing you, and to address any last-minute setup concerns.
There will be some ITL conference slides open at the start of your session to visually welcome participants. Session hosts will open the session for you with a general ITL welcome statement, explain the format and logistics of the session, and introduce you. During the session, they will help by keeping time and monitoring the chat box. You will also have a Stearns Center tech host who will schedule the Zoom meeting for you, monitor the waiting room, manage muting or removing disruptive participants, help with Zoom features like breakout groups, etc. The session host will wrap up the session by thanking you and the participants and sharing a few ITL conference announcements (including evaluation).
After Your Session:
After a great deal of consideration of the conference goals and community feedback, we have decided that live/synchronous sessions will NOT be recorded. We encourage live/synchronous presenters to contribute resources to share on the ITL Conference Proceedings site after the event for both session attendees and non-attendees in lieu of a session recording–think of this as a 1-page summary of the key take-aways and ideas that were shared by participants (names removed).
Interactive Session Types:
- PANEL / ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION (40 or 90 minutes)
These Zoom meeting sessions are synchronous, yet interactive, conversational spaces centered on a specific topic in which the participant reflection and conversation is facilitated by the presenter-moderator. The discussion could be kicked off by an individual or a panel of selected speakers posing questions, giving their brief opening remarks on the subject, or sharing how they manage a particular aspect of their teaching practice. Think of these as open dialogue strategy-sharing sessions.
- MINI WORKSHOP (40 or 90 minutes)
These Zoom meeting sessions are synchronous presenter-led opportunities for faculty to create materials, brainstorm ideas, or practice specific tools/techniques. The presenter or presenter team provides a brief pedagogy explanation or example/case study and follows with a presenter-facilitated opportunity for attendees to practice an approach and/or create a product or example they could use in their own courses. More involved topic demonstrations (e.g., role-playing scenarios, curricula development) would also be appropriate for this type of session. Frequent, meaningful interaction with the audience and/or between participants is expected for these sessions; participants should leave with a plan for how to implement new ideas into their own teaching.
Need Help?
If you are looking for ideas on how to make your session interactive, please reach out to the 2021 Conference Director, Katie Skipper (kskipper@gmu.edu), to discuss your session plan ideas.
Need Zoom help?